The expression of intelectin in sheep goblet cells and upregulation by interleukin-4.

Abstract

Upregulation of intelectin (ITLN) transcript and protein has previously been shown in intestinal nematode infections of resistant mice strains with immunolocalisation of protein to goblet cells and paneth cells. In man, intelectin expression has been shown in respiratory tract epithelium, with upregulation occurring in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic individuals. This study describes the expression of intelectin in the respiratory tract of sheep and the immunolocalisation to goblet cells using a novel affinity-purified chicken anti-intelectin peptide antibody. Furthermore we show that when sheep tracheal explants were cultured for 48 h+/- recombinant sheep IL-4, sheep ITLN transcripts were upregulated compared with controls. Putative roles for intelectin have included an antibacterial role and an alteration of the character of mucus. Our data suggest ITLNs may play an important role in the mucosal response in allergy and parasitic infections.

• Authors: Anne T French, Julie A Bethune, Pamela A Knight, Tom N McNeilly, Sean Wattegedera, Susan Rhind, Hugh R P Miller, Alan D Pemberton
• Journal: Veterinary immunology and immunopathology (Vet Immunol Immunopathol) Vol. 120 Issue 1-2 Pg. 41-6 (Nov 15 2007) ISSN: 0165-2427 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17727963 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Lectins
• Interleukin-4

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Antibodies (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Gene Expression Regulation (physiology)
• Goblet Cells (drug effects, metabolism)
• Humans
• Interleukin-4 (pharmacology)
• Lectins (metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Sheep
• Th2 Cells (drug effects, physiology)
• Trachea (cytology)